I just got fired. Well, actually, my contract with the VA has been terminated, effective immediately. The reason given was that "nursing management" has decided that ALL employees of the clinic will now be RN's. Funny thing is, there is only one other RN in the entire hospital that has any experience running a Hyperbaric Chamber, let alone the entire department, and he is needed elsewhere. So far, I have fielded twelve calls from freaked out nurses asking me how to do various things, from transferring patients from other VA hospitals, to actually running the chambers!
To say that I am livid is an understatement. More than twenty years of experience completely set aside because of the initials behind my name. More than many LVN's, I, mistakenly, believed that I was a valuable component in providing quality healthcare to our veterans, and that I was immune from the struggles faced by so many other LVN's.
While I can certainly appreciate this point of view, please keep in mind that the majority of my hyperbaric training was conducted by the government. The USAF, more specifically. And, I've been doing this longer than hyperbaric certification has even been around. When they came available, I got them. CHT, DMT, EMT? Yeah, I got that AND a Nursing License AND wound care certification. When I accepted this position the program was in shambles. No SOP's, no Emergency Plans, nada. The very same Nurse Manager who just kicked me out the door was (grudgingly) praising me a year ago for writing the entire SOP's for the department. SOP's that SHE signed and put in to practice! It's not so much that this decision has been made, it's the self-serving BS excuse that I'm not "qualified to do the job" that really chaps my behind. Every single nurse in that hospital KNEW that I was the goto nurse when it came to wound care and hyperbaric medicine. Every physician, too.
HBO being what is, every new-grad RN, and every clinical new hire, spent at least a couple of hours with me during their orientation, getting shown what I did, and more importantly, why I did it.
Every time a bigwig from Washington visited, the first thing they did was parade them down to the HBO unit because it is the only HBO clinic in the entire VA system. I gave them my 5-minute schtick, and everyone was was happy, including management or they wouldn't have done it. I was "their boy" when it suited them. Ahhhhhh! Screw it, I'm done venting.
Whereas you may be done venting here.. do not be done with your VA career or taking your credentials to a higher level. Does your termination stink to high heaven? .. yes. My comment was meant to say.. did you not realize that obtaining your RN was writing on all of the proverbial walls?
If I were you, at this point, I would seek employment. Secondary to finding a job, I would make plans to upgrade my education and nursing license. Fighting your termination at this point is most likely akin to fighting windmills, a waste of your time and energy. Best wishes.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Dude you are a veteran!? As adverse as the VA is to bad publicity I would think a few letters to the editor about the VA is firing VETERANS without cause would cause a panic among VA admin.
That is exactly what I was thinking. Your Sen. as well. Also, a newspaper writer looking for a good story. You got one. With the VA being in the news lately, this will make it a more buy able story. Cause, the moment they fired you, and the only had one other person who could work that chamber, they were understaffed when it comes to qualifications.
Yes, yes, yes! Caliboy, do the above. Once I read your credentials and see that you are a veteran as well this is a disgrace and absolutely unjust. Not a typical termination. What they did was stupid and I would so love to see that brought to the light of day! grrrrrrr .
I am a veteran, and have been denied employment in spite of my veteran status. It wasn't until years later that I found out that denying employment to veterans is par for the course with government agencies that are tasked with employing veteran preference in their hiring practices. I made the decision to not seek employment where I am clearly not wanted. If nothing else, I save time, money, and mental energy by going to places where I might have an even chance with the rest of the masses seeking employment.
I feel you provided valuable and specialized service to your patients. I also believe that the VA needs to have competent and quality care for their patients.
That being said, you are a civilian contractor who is vet. According to your letter you have been a nurse since 2009, that is not 20 years. You also know that the military model of care does not translate to civilian care, while your credentials are outstanding they probably do not translate to to model they are are aspiring to meet. Initially I thought you were an employed 20 year LVN who got fired, what you were a civilian contractor who was LVN never a VA employee. Both scenarios are bad but a 20 year employee is different than a civilian contractor, sorry a contractor is not the same as employee and you must have known this since you knew you were not an employee and did not enjoy VA benefits
The sad news if you choose to stay in nursing, get your RN or even better RN BSN. 46 or 47 which would be the age when you graduate is not old. I am an old diploma nurse who got their MSN at age 50 so it can be done.
That being said As a Vet you should get some status, good luck.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I am a veteran, and have been denied employment in spite of my veteran status. It wasn't until years later that I found out that denying employment to veterans is par for the course with government agencies that are tasked with employing veteran preference in their hiring practices. I made the decision to not seek employment where I am clearly not wanted. If nothing else, I save time, money, and mental energy by going to places where I might have an even chance with the rest of the masses seeking employment.
Well, that really bites. I am the first to admit I can't begin to understand the intricacies of the VA system or fathom why anybody would need to be convinced to "Hire a vet", whether it is a government or civilian employer. I guess I responded as does most of the public when problems and bad treatment of veterans make the light of day. It's outrageous to me, on a personal level.
Caliboy's situation is particularly galling to me because they don't seem to have told him what was coming and they let him go effective immediately. It sounds like he was a leader who knew his stuff up, down, and sideways whether he was an RN or not. It sounds like his administrative skills were as well-honed as his "hands-on the patient" skills. I know AN has discussed that an LPN/VN can manage in a non-clinical capacity.
Any manager who chooses to terminate such an asset to patient care (contract or not) in such a summary fashion strikes me as craven, and certainly not very bright.
Specializes in Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Care.
I am well known in the VA VISN22 system (basically the Southwest) because of all the patients I have treated from outside the Long Beach area. I called the nurse recruiter at another area VA that I know well today, explained what happened, and she let me know of an Outpatient Clinic position that is coming available. I also had a phone interview with KP today and have been asked to come in for a face to face interview on Monday. Also, I put my feelers out in the hyperbaric community (it's pretty small), and got some good leads that I'll follow up on this week. This ain't my first rodeo, and I will survive...
I am well known in the VA VISN22 system (basically the Southwest) because of all the patients I have treated from outside the Long Beach area. I called the nurse recruiter at another area VA that I know well today, explained what happened, and she let me know of an Outpatient Clinic position that is coming available. I also had a phone interview with KP today and have been asked to come in for a face to face interview on Monday. Also, I put my feelers out in the hyperbaric community (it's pretty small), and got some good leads that I'll follow up on this week. This ain't my first rodeo, and I will survive...
Been there,done that, ASN, RN
7,241 Posts
Whereas you may be done venting here.. do not be done with your VA career or taking your credentials to a higher level. Does your termination stink to high heaven? .. yes. My comment was meant to say.. did you not realize that obtaining your RN was writing on all of the proverbial walls?